Modern medicine is gradually shifting from a disease-centered to a patient-centered holistic management model.In the face of complex chronic diseases such as obesity, traditional single-discipline diagnosis and treatment can no longer meet clinical needs, and a shift toward multidisciplinary collaborative “team-based care” is essential.This is not a simple return to general practice, but an organic integration and spiral advancement based on specialized subspecialties.
For example, patients with obesity often present with comorbid cardiovascular, renal, and other multisystem disorders.Although endocrinologists lead weight management, multidisciplinary input from cardiology, nephrology, and other specialties is required to pool professional expertise and develop individualized, integrated treatment plans for patients.
To achieve genuine multidisciplinary collaboration, practical barriers must be overcome, including transforming clinical concepts and establishing a management philosophy of prevention first, treatment second.Academic organizations such as the Chinese Cardiometabolic Alliance are already committed to building a multidisciplinary collaboration platform for metabolic diseases to optimize disease management.
In clinical practice, priority can be given to the following measures:First, clarify leading and collaborating roles.Endocrinology, for instance, has extensive experience in the application of GLP‑1 RAs and weight management and can assume primary coordination responsibilities while integrating input from other specialties.
Second, implement the first-visit responsibility system.The first-visit department conducts initial evaluation and screening, identifies core problems, and initiates multidisciplinary consultations when necessary to jointly develop comprehensive treatment strategies.
Third, establish a full-cycle, interdisciplinary long-term care system.As a chronic disease, obesity requires lifelong management.Drawing on the outpatient management model of diabetes, obesity management teams can be formed to provide ongoing lifestyle guidance, psychological support, medication supervision, and long-term follow‑up.
Many patients tend to discontinue treatment after weight loss, leading to rebound.Only through multidisciplinary, multidimensional, and systematic long-term intervention can sustainable weight control be achieved and complication risks reduced.
In summary, through institutionalized collaboration mechanisms, full-cycle patient management, and in-depth integration of various specialties,the quality of obesity diagnosis and treatment can be effectively improved, ultimately enhancing patients’ overall health outcomes.